florep1
I believe in Magic!
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2006
- Messages
- 691
I've been a AAA Plus ember for the last 22 years since I started driving. As a single female, it gave me peace of mind before the age of cellphones. I hated paying the yearly fee but I've averaged 1-2 calls per year mostly for dead batteries and/or flat tire. I don't know how to change a tire nor do I care to learn. That in itself is enough incentive for me to pay. As I started a family, and the electronic age boomed, at one time, we had AAA plus, Verizon towing, and Farmers Insurance towing. Don't ask, I'm that paranoid, and I like options 
At one time, my husband drove a tow truck and he answered calls for all of the above. Yes, they used the same towing companies, but he said in his experience, AAA customers got the best bang for the buck. He said the biggest difference is the cost of towing your vehicle. Most plans only covered 5 miles, you're responsible tor the other charges. AAA Plus covered 100 miles. He said one towing a year will more than pay for AAA fee. As my kids started driving, AAA also offered our family the best price for auto insurance. Prior to that, I had Farmers Insurance for auto for 15 years! I got quotes from Progressive, GEICO, Farmers, and All State, but for a family with 2 teenage drivers, we saved close to $3000 a year with AAA Insurance. I'm sure not everyone is in the same boat, but for our family of 5, AAA works.
Edited to add:
Yes, AAA offers other savings such as hotel, dining, and attraction discounts but with the advent of the internet, you could find cheaper/better rates using other avenues (Priceline, Hotwire, etc). Before GPS navigation became available, I relied on AAA Trip Tix! Nowadays, I check where I can get the best deal but ALWAYS check to see what AAA has. They also offer Homeowners insurance but I've never asked for a quote. We've always had Farmers Insurance for 22 years, and the one time I needed help during Hurricane Rita, they came up huge! They were there for me when our house was declared uninhabitable so I'm a customer for life. This weekend, our family of 5 went to the Houston Natural Science Museum. Regular ticket price is $20. Would have cost us $100 for 5. AAA price=$7/adult. Family cost=$$35. Savings this weekend, $65. I also forgot to add that I've availed of the free gas delivery(up to 5 gallons) from AAA one time in 22 years during hurricane evacuation. Worth it in my book.
At one time, my husband drove a tow truck and he answered calls for all of the above. Yes, they used the same towing companies, but he said in his experience, AAA customers got the best bang for the buck. He said the biggest difference is the cost of towing your vehicle. Most plans only covered 5 miles, you're responsible tor the other charges. AAA Plus covered 100 miles. He said one towing a year will more than pay for AAA fee. As my kids started driving, AAA also offered our family the best price for auto insurance. Prior to that, I had Farmers Insurance for auto for 15 years! I got quotes from Progressive, GEICO, Farmers, and All State, but for a family with 2 teenage drivers, we saved close to $3000 a year with AAA Insurance. I'm sure not everyone is in the same boat, but for our family of 5, AAA works.Edited to add:
Yes, AAA offers other savings such as hotel, dining, and attraction discounts but with the advent of the internet, you could find cheaper/better rates using other avenues (Priceline, Hotwire, etc). Before GPS navigation became available, I relied on AAA Trip Tix! Nowadays, I check where I can get the best deal but ALWAYS check to see what AAA has. They also offer Homeowners insurance but I've never asked for a quote. We've always had Farmers Insurance for 22 years, and the one time I needed help during Hurricane Rita, they came up huge! They were there for me when our house was declared uninhabitable so I'm a customer for life. This weekend, our family of 5 went to the Houston Natural Science Museum. Regular ticket price is $20. Would have cost us $100 for 5. AAA price=$7/adult. Family cost=$$35. Savings this weekend, $65. I also forgot to add that I've availed of the free gas delivery(up to 5 gallons) from AAA one time in 22 years during hurricane evacuation. Worth it in my book.
